Bray loans campaign $50K to top District 8 money

The new City Council District 8 has transportation as its foremost issue, and campaign contributors are giving generously to try to elect a candidate that can get City Hall to pay attention to Southwest Austin. While businessman Darrell Pierce got the most money from supporters by the June 30 deadline, engineer Rebecca Bray loaned herself $50,000 and has the most cash on hand.

Pierce brought in $36,618 and has $25,692 on hand. He made a $2,500 loan to the campaign.

Major contributors to Pierce’s campaign include former mayor Gus Garcia Jr., attorney and lobbyist Jack Gullahorn, lobbyist Clint Hackney, water district entrepreneur Pix Howell and former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson.

Bray raised just $8,270 but loaned her campaign $50,000. She claims she has $58,270 on hand but spent $3,817. Major donors include Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, her parents, Judy and Terry Bray, and attorneys Jeff Howard and Clarke Heidrick.

Also pulling in a sizable stash of cash in a short time was Ellen Troxclair, who is a realtor and chief of staff to State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs. She raised $18,520, made a $5,000 loan to her campaign and had $20,578 cash on hand. In a news release, Troxclair claims she raised almost $1,000 a day between June 12 and 30.

Contributors to Troxclair’s candidacy include lobbyist Ted Delisi, and political consultant Jeff Norwood.

Candidate Eliza May brought in $18,160 in contributions, and lists $13,402 on hand. She made a $12,000 loan to her campaign. Donors include activist Brian Rodgers, former House District 50 candidate Jade Chang Sheppard and blogger Bill Oakey.

Also running is Circle C HOA Director and Democratic stalwart Ed Scruggs, who reported $9,210 in contributions and a $6,274 loan to the campaign. He lists $12,741 cash on hand. Contributors include Judge Charlie Baird, Yvonne Davis, former Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber, Mark Littlefield, and Steve Urban.